If Namecheap’s survey is anything to go by, domain registrants are considering .com alternatives more than ever before. Scarcity happens to be the principal driver, with at least 60.9% of applicants today finding their preferred .com domain name already taken [1].
This shortage has, in fact, pushed the prices for highly sought-after .com domains beyond the reach of many. About 31.2% of the respondents in that same survey complained of resellers being too expensive [1].
The trend of choosing .com alternatives is also driven by personal or stylistic reasons. Over the years, individuals and businesses have embraced unique TLDs to differentiate themselves in the webosphere that’s dominated by .com domains. More than 53.7% are already engaging in such tactics, while 24% admit to trying out new extensions to expand their brand [1].
Whatever your reasons are, this article provides you with a firm foundation for exploring the best .com alternatives. You get to find out what other domains there are besides .com, as well as the most appropriate ones for your site based on technical suitability, market relevance, pricing, and branding potential. 📊
📚 Table of contents:
- .com alternatives for ecommerce sites
- Best .com alternatives for professionals
- Top .com alternatives for institutions
- Best alternative .com domain extensions for blogs
.com alternatives for ecommerce sites 🛒
1. .market
The .market domain extension is a standout choice for ecommerce platforms, particularly those operating as marketplaces. Its specificity not only boosts brand recall but also enhances visibility in the ecommerce arena.
In terms of pricing and availability, .market domains offer an affordable and less crowded alternative to .com domains. They start at approximately $7.17 per year, making them an economical option for both startups and established marketplaces.
2. .biz
.biz, which is shorthand for ‘business’, serves as a practical and versatile .com alternative for a broad range of ecommerce sites. It carries a professional connotation and is recognized globally as an unrestricted TLD – meaning any business, regardless of location or size, can ride on it.
In comparison to .com domains, .biz domains tend to be more budget-friendly. They start at around $1.17 per year, which is just a small fraction of the $12.99 to $21.99 annual average for .com equivalents.
Another thing you’ll probably like is its market share of only 0.15% [2]. It’s less saturated, more exclusive, and offers a higher likelihood of finding your preferred domain name.
Historical trend
This diagram shows the historical trend in the percentage of websites using .biz. Our dedicated trend survey shows more top level domains usage trends.
3. .co
Interpreted as an abbreviation for ‘company’ or ‘corporation’, the .co domain extension stands out as a close alternative to .com. The close resemblance to .com makes it a memorable and effective choice for business branding and marketing, whereas its universal connotation means it would work well for domains that are targeting an international audience.
Pricing here is quite competitive, although it can vary based on registrar and domain name.
Registration starts at around $2.94 for the first year, upon which you’ll join the 0.7% of websites running on .co instead of .com [3].
4. .online
The .online domain is one of the most prominent .com alternatives for businesses that want to emphasize their online operations or digital-first approach.
Domain registration rates are as low as $0.98 under first-year promotional offers. It’s therefore an attractive TLD option for new businesses or those looking to establish an online identity without a hefty initial outlay.
Not many registrants have caught on to it, though. Only 0.2% of all websites are using it [4].
5. .store/.shop
The .store and .shop TLDs, both reserved for ecommerce, offer distinct advantages as .com alternatives. The .store domain is meant for businesses dealing in a wide range of products, whereas .shop is more suited for interactive shopping experiences, such as boutiques and specialized stores.
Introductory offers for such domains start at $0.98 for the first year. But, despite their affordability, .store and .shop are still relatively underused, with market shares of 0.1% and 0.2% respectively [5]. This presents a unique opportunity for businesses to secure relevant domain names that are unavailable on .com.
6. .sale
.sale happens to be a strategic choice for businesses focusing on discounts and promotions. Unlike .store or .shop, it directly targets bargain hunters and deal-seekers.
You could, for instance, use this as a .com alternative for seasonal sales or flash deals campaigns. Its domains would help to convey your site’s value proposition in the marketing messages across email, social media, paid advertising, etc.
Registration prices start at around $5.98. And to make an informed decision, businesses should consider the potential return on investment from increased traffic during sales periods.
Best .com alternatives for professionals 😎
7. .net
Originally intended for network-related entities, the .net domain has evolved into a trusted .com alternative – particularly for technology and internet-based services. Its longstanding presence and global recognition make it an appealing choice for businesses and professionals in tech-oriented fields.
As of November 2023, it has taken up about 2.8% of all registered domain names [6]. That gives .net a favorable balance between recognition and availability. It’s less saturated than .com yet widely acknowledged.
8. .pro
The .pro domain is developed exclusively for certified professionals across various fields. It operates under strict registration policies, which require proof of professional status.
So, you could say that, unlike general TLDs like .com or .net, .pro establishes credible professional branding. Its domain prices vary by registrar, but remain within a reasonable range for professionals. Expect to pay anything from $3.99 to $20.00 per year.
9. .services
.services is an excellent .com alternative for service-based professionals, dealing with anything from IT solutions to home repairs. It enhances online searchability and relevance for all types of agencies – including marketers, artists, doctors, engineers, plumbers, etc.
The domains themselves offer a balance between affordability and value, with prices ranging from about $6.88 to $25.00 annually.
10. .consulting
For consultants looking for .com alternatives that are a little bit more specific than .services, the .consulting extension would be a great fit. It’s recognized globally as the extension that caters exclusively to consultancy businesses across all sectors.
Registration here starts at $6 per year – meaning consulting domains should be easily accessible to both individual consultants and larger firms.
11. .expert
Just as the name suggests, the .expert domain extension is ideal for professionals looking to establish authority and credibility in their fields. It acts as a digital badge of expertise, which indicates a professional’s specialized knowledge or skills.
The domains are versatile and can be used across various professional fields – from technology experts to healthcare professionals. That, combined with the value it offers in establishing credibility, has pushed the cost of registering .expert domains to $3.48 to $77.99 per year.
Usage rates are still comparatively low, though, as .expert accounts for less than 0.1% of all websites [7].
12. .guru
This is one of a handful of .com alternatives that offer a unique combination of informality and expertise. It makes domains come off as professional yet approachable and personable at the same time.
The types of sites that would fancy such a relaxed yet authoritative stance include influencers, thought leaders, and innovators. These are positions that depend significantly on personal connections and trust.
.guru is being used by less than 0.1% of all domains [8]. You can join them and make that percentage grow for $2.98 to $51.00 per year.
13. .esq
With “Esq” being an honorary title for legal professionals in the US, the .esq domain extension is particularly popular among attorneys. The term is the short form for “Esquire”, which is designated to people who’ve passed the bar exam.
As a .com alternative, the .esq extension reinforces your professional status among peers and prospective clients. However, it’s not exclusive to lawyers. Anyone can purchase a .esq domain – they just have to pay between $15 and $50 per year.
Top .com alternatives for institutions 🏛️
14. .org
The .org domain is usually a hallmark of non-profit organizations, symbolizing their commitment to causes rather than profit. It’s great for building legitimacy, especially if you intend to attract donors and supporters.
Regarding market presence, .org boasts 4.5% of all domains [9]. That places it slightly ahead of .net as the second most popular .com alternative, with prices ranging from $9.99 to $20.99 per year.
15. .edu
Reserved for accredited educational institutions based in the US, the .edu TLD conveys academic authority and authenticity. credibility. This exclusivity helps them gain prominence among prospective students, influence alumni engagement, and rally fundraising efforts.
Registration is via EDUCAUSE, a higher education information technology association. And for that, you can expect to pay $77 a year.
16. .gov
Just as.edu is meant for academic institutions, .gov is exclusive to US-based government entities. They use such domains for public communication on official information, policies, and services.
This TLD is solely managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). They previously charged $400 per year for registration [10], but the entire amount scraped off in 2021. .gov is now a free .com alternative for all government bodies in the US.
Best alternative .com domain extensions for blogs ✍️
17. .me
.me TLD is a top pick for bloggers who hope to create a sense of personal connection. It’s versatile enough to suit various niches, from travel and lifestyle to professional development.
Despite its wide niche appeal, though, .me domains are used by only 0.2% of websites [11]. That gives you a good chance of finding various .com alternatives among its available domain names. .me is an affordable option too, with some registrars offering it for as low as $3.98 per year
18. .site
.site is the jack-of-all-trades in the blogging world, known for its simplicity and versatility. It’s a straightforward, no-frills domain extension that fits a wide audience – from casual hobby blogs to professional portfolios.
What truly sets .site apart as one of the best .com alternatives is its potential for brand expansion. Bloggers can venture into podcasts, vlogs, or ecommerce while still running this TLD.
Pricing starts at $0.98 per year, and the extension has so far been taken up by 0.1% of websites [12].
19. .news
For blogs centered on current affairs, journalism, or informational content, .news is undoubtedly the best .com alternative. It’ll get your domain noticed by people who are looking for timely and impartial reports.
Registration will cost you around $6.98 to $43.99 per year. But, as a niche-focused TLD, .news has an understandably low adoption rate of less than 0.1% [13].
20. .info
.info is the .com alternative domain extension for blogs that specialize in delivering informational or educational content. Its very name, derived from ‘information,’ clues in visitors that your site is highly resourceful in the focus subject – whether it’s science, technology, history, health, or arts.
It maintains a fairly solid presence in the domain market, with a share of 0.5% [14]. To add your blog to that registry, you might need to set aside at least $3.98 for each year of registration.
Where to find your domain’s .com alternatives 🤔
Whereas the market offers over 1,500 TLDs, the 20 we’ve explored have managed to rise above the rest as the best .com alternatives for bloggers, business owners, professionals, and institutions.
But, don’t restrict yourself. This guide is just but a stepping stone to the endless opportunities that await you. We encourage you to search extensively while considering the available domain names, what each extension could mean for your site, plus the accompanying registration and maintenance costs.
For more accuracy in determining what is the best .com alternative for your use case, consider leveraging the power of DomainWheel. This free, AI-powered domain name generator instantly reveals the available domains across various TLDs. The search even extends to other relevant URL options that are closely related to your primary domain keyword.
You don’t need any technical skills to use it. 💻💻💻
Just visit DomainWheel’s search page, enter your preferred keywords, and explore a multitude of domain possibilities.
References
[1] https://www.namecheap.com/guru-guides/13-plus-statistics-of-new-gtld-data-study-dp/
[2] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-biz-
[3] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-co-
[4] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-online-
[5] https://w3techs.com/technologies/comparison/tld-shop-,tld-store-
[6] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-net-
[7] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-expert-
[8] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-guru-
[9] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-org-
[10] https://get.gov/2021/4/27/a-new-day-for-gov/
[11] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-me-
[12] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-site-
[13] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-news-
[14] https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/tld-info-
